Ever since the global financial crisis, economists have groped for reasons to explain why growth in the U.S. and abroad has repeatedly disappointed, citing everything from fiscal austerity to the euro meltdown. They are now coming to realize that one of the stiffest headwinds is also one of the hardest to overcome: demographics.
Next year, writes Greg Ip, with the wall Street Journal, the world’s advanced economies will reach a critical milestone. For the first time since 1950, their combined working-age population will decline, according to United Nations projections, and by 2050 it will shrink 5%. The ranks of workers will also fall in key emerging markets, such as China and Russia. At the same time the share of these countries’ population over 65 will skyrocket.
The reality: People are living longer, especially in high-income countries. Worldwide, fewer people will be working and more people will be living on passive income. This will continue to slow down the world economies.
As an investor in retirement, your financial plan should take this into account. Where will the massive demand come from to maintain demand for your entire stock portfolio over long periods of time? Steve and Sinclair review this important topic.
In the Q & A session, estate planning attorney Richard Dwornik joins the A-Team to discuss spendthrift strategies on trusts.